Yes, that is the reason why I've approached you...
I agree on the main advices you spoke of. I find it unproductive too. The observation and my understanding is good. It is ahead of my technique, instead of the other way around as most developing artists. That "puts me in a favorable position" to get the better works as I've discussed it...but...

If I work solid, I can relate it very local and do it right, but I can't adjust the other parts to it somehow. It is like a contrast or something and intimidates the crap out of me. I never use grid, because it shatters my image, breaks my vision and disturbs my observation; I'm derived from the natural content, focusing on getting proportions right. I can't seem to overcome that, though I can shout the advice in return. I'm very impatient on that part, however, I still manage drawings over 400+ hours...

I know the detailing swallows time, but I can't neglect the need for it. But I would like to get more effective to the result, so it is a technical problem. And I've noticed that the experienced realistic artist such as yourself, use a method to work very solid on areas. I don't understand one bit how you put those "minidrawings" together, for I can't manage that at all. Instead, I work as Trung CAO (Artpapa, you might know him); I grow the drawing, switching to build up and emerge the piece as whole. I go directly to target, because I'm afraid I will miss the flaw later.

At one hand, I would like to draw solid, but then I have to make some adjustments like you've said and then the quality is somewhat less again. On the other hand I cut and close in, slice-erase or whatever to get my work more sophisticated. At the same time it provides a lot of natural blending I don't want to have either: quality loss, or not as reachable as I wanted to.

What I'm trying to say I have found a way to communicate in my own artistic language, but I'm missing something I don't get my fingers behind. I have some strange WIPS and like stage 6 or so I think: "How will I ever get a result out of that crap...but I always seem to be very resilient on that part; it just consumes quite more time for a result that some do in a few hours. I don't compare to other artist that much, but I feel I'm the outlier in this; it is extreme. The creepy uncertainty is that, I have a hell lot of devotion and patience, but I feel it is compensation the fact I can't draw...you understand me? It feels like I can't really distinct myself if someone else would have the same patience, in fact, making me feel quite inferior.

I shouldn't care and actually I don't. If they watch, fine if they don't ok; I draw for my own...but I have that burning desire to get a message, a drawing across with such power, I feel the incredible scream to throw that out and I want it to be so damn good; I really want to throw anything in it. But I'm technically just not ready for it I'm afraid. Maybe sending some WIPS would be useful to aid my story, but then again, what benefit brings me to that, except I'm only bothering. I don't want some kind of attention, but I want to solve a problem. I just don't know...

And my apology for my rudeness for not thanking you for your time in the first place.


Mike